Hakonori

In Japan, the act of sitting in a car’s side window so that the upper body is exposed outside is called “Hakonori”. It’s popular with Japanese vehicle gangs (known as “Bosozuku”). It’s also highly illegal in Japan.

Politician Shigeyuki Nakamae, who ran for a place in the Hokkaido House of Representatives chamber, was the focus of scandal and gossip on the internet because of a photos posted on his blog-site, Amelog, which shows Mr. Nakame sitting on the edge of the window of his campaign car while waving energetically at potential voters.

Had the car been running at normal speed, the results could have been fatal, and in fact the whole act may have either been a demonstration of his own motto, “I will work to death for you!”, or perhaps simply had become too excited. In either case, the danger and illegality was clear. The Public Officers Election Regulations has no specific rule for candidates to wear a seat belt, but the jury is still out as to whether a Hakonori ride is okay.

In the end, he didn’t fall from his window seat, but he did lose his political seat in the most recent election.